The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1887-03-31
FINE TABLE LINEN.


E1.rart Patterns for Table-CIoths, Nap
kins, Luncheon Sets and Doyiies.~
Even more enthusiasm Is felt foi
choice table-linen than for bed-iinen.
and this is quite reasonable, because "ie
opportunities for admiring it are more
numerous. For table service M ehlhe
is too dainty, nothing too beautiful, o. va
so must have thought the designers OF
the snowy covers and napkins, the ex-
quisite doylies and the handsome lunch-
con sets. The best patterns are now
found in table-cloths that aus sold by the
yard, as well as in those woven sepa-
rately with border on all sides. In
woven cloths the sizes vary, so that q
cover for very large as well as very
small table Is obtainable. Among the
newest and most effective meanings is
one known as crackle work, the design
reproducing the effect of crackle ware.
In the angles formed by the converging
lines of one cover having the crackle
weaving are acorns; and upon another
are realistic-looking daisies. Another
cover has large clover-leaves strewn
singly over it, and still another has
peaches brought out in beautiful luster.
The design of the border is often differ
ent from the center. For instance, the
cloth having large clover-leaf design
has fivc-pointed stars between two Greek
scrolls for its border; that having
peaches upon it has an architectural
design that looks like Corinthian cor
nice surmounted by spear-heads in
groups of three.
Napkins match the table covers in
design and vary in size from twenty
one to thirty inches. They are usually
square, but what is known as French
napkin is oblong. 1t is noticeable that
French table-linen displays very airy
designs, with leaning toward roses,
palms and other floral patterns; but
the demand for it is only in the best
qualities. Its beautiful luster must
always be admired even while the DUR
ability and beauty of Irish goods of the
best class are conceded. Indeed, in the
development of flax products each
county where the plant is raised seems
to have paid special attention to the
development of some particular result.
Scotch goods, even in their lowest
grades. yield good service; while in the
medium qualities German linens are I'M
surpassed.
The question is sometimes asked
whether the same style of table linen is
used for breakfast as for dinner. This
depends on many things, principal
among which are the circumstances
governing the service of the morning
meal. A white cover is never out of
place upon the breakfast table, but it is
not essential to the proper serving of
the light repast which often precedes
an early dinner. Breakfast napkins
are smaller than those used at dinner.
OF course, everybody's taste is not
suited by u cover of white linen, no
matter how fine or how beautiful it
may be, and at ceremonious dinners
the center of the cloth is sometimes
overlaid with a square of linen show
ing elaborate drawn-work Sometimes
stripe of FRAMEWORK extends through
the center or along each side of the
cover, showing a stripe of satin OF
plush placed underneath.
Luncheon sets invite the use of much
ornamentation, and many adjectives
might be employed in their description.
Perhaps the briefest summary of their
beauty may be expressed by saying
that they are very artistic. Holbein
sets, which at a little distance appear
to be of single faint color, display up
on inspection two colors upon creamy
background, which softens the other
tints beautifully. Both colors are
woven in an arabesque design which
Stimulates old tapestry, and the effect
is especially good. Darker sets pre-
sent almost as conglomerate an inter-
mingling of colors as cashmere shawl
or an oriental rug, and are thick, but
light in texture. They are all consid-
cred fast colors. but their laundering is
something which one would instructive
ly postpone as long as the first fresh.
ness renamed. A handsome luncheon
set, consisting of a table-cloth and
twelve napkins, that would please the
seeker after nice but inexpensive goods,
is of monte linen with Kensingtor
border inside a Melted fringe.
Doylies. At their mention there comes
to mind squares of silk and linen so
woven as to appear all silk, bits of fine
cambria with hem-stitching and drawn
work upon them, tiny morsels of linen
overweight with the fairy blossoms of
the fiax-indeed, no fancy of the brain
is too original to be worked out upon
these little ornaments, Tor that is what
they are. Upon the embroidered ones
the work is usually dor-e at home, but
any design admired will be developed
by shop-keepers who supply them. Even
the laundering of a set of table linen is
now accomplished, if So ordered, before
it is delivered to the purchaser.
In marking bedroom or table linen
4t~<~ .~~@A -. 49,